Business Plan: “We R Learned”

1. Business Plan:“We R Learned” Melissa Grygla LIBR 282-01 Information Entrepreneurship, Amelia Kassel Draft: April 25, 2010

2. Outline Vision Clients Services and Products Marketing and Promotion Logistics SWOT Goals Pricing Estimated Financials Conclusion

3. Vision We R Learned is an independently run business, whichprovides research in educational and management strategies, and Seminars in implementing effective educational and management techniques. We R Learned also provides many other research services which can be tailored specifically to client needs.

4. Clients • Public, Academic, and Special Libraries • Educational Institutions and Programs • Including, but not limited to: • Schools • Department’s of Education • Libraries • After School Programs • Tutoring Services

5. Services & ProductsManagement Training • Research information about current management strategies in schools and libraries. • Research management seminars for businesses to meet specific requirements. • Evaluate the management strategies currently used by the institution and provide recommendations based on findings. • Conduct management seminars

6. Services & ProductsTeaching Strategies • Compile resources about methods of teaching students, with specific learning disabilities or for classes. • Seminars about current teaching trends, available online and in person. • Provide training sessions practicing teaching strategies to schools, libraries, parents, and afterschool programs which provide tutoring.

7. Services & ProductsResearch • Research Grant Opportunities; provide information about current opportunities to institutions looking for funding. • Write or edit grant applications for schools, libraries, or other nonprofit organizations. • Evaluate current policies from other schools and libraries, to assist development and evaluation of new policies. • Conduct SWOT analysis for schools and libraries that are based on the individual organization. • Research fundraising opportunities for libraries and schools which are unique and interesting. • Research demographics for schools and libraries to assist with program development in schools, libraries, and other nonprofit organizations.

8. Marketing & Promotion • Speaking and Teaching • One day training sessions, specifically to school staff during in-service days, and online trainings which can be accessed byboth schools and libraries. • Effective teaching methods, management strategies, and teaching environmental education through required curriculum are some examples of recent topics that We R Learned has provided sessions for.

9. Marketing & Promotion Continued • Newsletters • Mailing newsletters to individuals who would potentially be interested in services. These newsletters will be electronic format. • Business Cards with a professionally created logo. • Website created by a professional. • Brochures- With testimonials, contact information, and website link. • Join Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) and attend conferences.

10. Logistics • Office Space- create a home office with computer, desk, filing cabinet, fax machine, printer, and appropriate software. • Have professional create business logo. • Obtain a domain name and have a professional create the business website. • Print brochures and business cards. • Phone- Set up an additional business line with an answering machine. • E-mail- Set up a business account email address. • Meet with an accountant to set up initial taxation documentation. • Purchase software and develop a system for accounting aspects of the business. Including: • How to bill clients. • When business bills are paid. • Research and contact other AIIP’s for hints in logistics of starting AIIP business.

11. SWOT’sStrengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats • Strengths • Determination to succeed. • Work experience in Human Resources, Finance, and Accounting Departments. • Strong organizational skills. • Strong time management skills. • Weaknesses • Very little marketing background, complete additional research and/or coursework in marketing strategies. • Lack of expertise in a specific environment. Focus on finding a specific niche for We R Learned. • Lack of financial backing. Begin the business full time, with an additional part time job to supplement income.

12. SWOT’s- Strengths, Weaknesses , Opportunities, Threats Continued • Opportunities • A web based business that meet a specific niches needs, can succeed as a distance business. • Online training programs are favored by businesses, because of the flexibility allowed to employees. • Threats • A poor economy, a start up business would be challenging to build up clientele. • Other Internet based staff training businesses. • Competition: Librarywillie Research and Consulting http://www.librarywillie.com/ • Grant writers and Fundraising Consultants

13. Goals • Prior to Start Up- • Create business logo, website, business cards, brochures and business plan. • Create a list of contacts. • Set up accounts payable. • File with the government for appropriate tax identification number. • Set up appropriate office environment, including phone lines (if necessary use phone line to receive faxes) • Six Months- • Have signed at least two clients. • Continue extensive marketing. • Seek out teaching opportunities for the agencies described in clients.

14. Goals Continued • One Year- • Create and sell access information to an online training session for three of the agencies described in clients. • Continue to market services to list of contacts, increase contact list by 25%. • Have six signed clients and book at least two seminars or trainings. • Review financial aspects of business, monies collected verses costs. • Five Years- • Attended professional conference for AIIP’s. • At least 1 conference or training a year. • Provided training sessions the agencies described in clients. • At least 5 trainings a year. • Have signed 20 clients, approximately 35 billable hours a week. • Continue to market services to expanded list of contacts, increase contact list by 30%. • Consider the potential value in completing additional educational coursework in marketing, management, and education. • Attend at least one course which will assist my professional development every semester.

15. Pricing • Research • Per hour fee (plus expenses). • To start $60.00 (plus expenses) • Minimum one hour. • Shall-not-exceed project fee. • Consider flat project fees for some projects. • Trainings • Flat project fees (consider potential expenses when setting this fee). • $500-? • Cost based on expenses, time researching, and client requests.

16. Estimated Financials Start Up Costs Six Months Estimated Initial Costs -$682.00 • Domain Name $20.00 annually • Bryson Grygla, Create and trouble shoot for site. • Computer & Printer- • Bryson Grygla, create using extra parts side jobs, estimated cost $300.00 total. Includes computer, printer, fax and copy machine. • Logo- • Michelle Wiggley Graphic Designer $100.00 • ATT- Internet, Business Phone Cost $130.00 a month. • Home Office • Household costs- Bryson Grygla pays these expenses. • Business Cards: Staples 500 for $32.00 • Brochures: 500 for $100.00 (discount from Michelle Wiggley, copy center employee) • Use current school desk and filing cabinet. • With only two clients • Estimated work load of 5 hours a week. • Hourly rate $60.00 • Estimated $300.00 billed weekly $7,800.00 - Costs $780.00 (6 months) - Start Up $682.00 $6,338.00

17. Conclusion The challenge of starting an AIIP business are extensive. However, having a well developed business plan will help the business owner to succeed. Prior to beginning such a large undertaking, I would need to evaluate my current financial situation and knowledge base. As a potential small business owner, it may be necessary to take courses in Small Business Development prior to beginning the business for my own sense of wellbeing.